The bonnets are ancient accordions in dark silk, and the calot is a waterfall of lavender. The Mongolian hat is a golden peak rising from a ruff of fur, and comes with a little set of earmuffs to match. The Textile Lab at the de Young stores and maintains these hats and nearly 500 more, all part of the Museums’ huge textile collection.

The hat had been sitting there in the dark for years, unremarked upon. Its swirl of freshwater pearls, the imperial double eagle on the front, the decoration of thick gold braid on red velvet; none of it was included in the simple description—“Woman’s Fez”— in the Museums’ records.

The Holiday Artisan Fair at the de Young offers a unique variety of gifts for everyone on your list. Now in its eighth year, the season’s best shopping event features 17 of the Bay Area’s top artisans displaying their unique wares.

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FAMSF Blog

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Blog provides the latest news and views on exhibitions, programs, collections, and behind-the-scenes happenings at San Francisco's de Young and Legion of Honor museums.